Sliders and locking arrangements for integrator platforms

ABSTRACT

A platform conveyor having a constant speed high-speed section and variable-speed sections at either end, the platforms being adapted to slide relative to one another in the variable-speed sections and locking and sliding mechanism for connecting the platforms. The locking and sliding mechanisms allow platform movement and prevent platform movement as required.

United States Patent 1 3, 95,183 Zuppiger 1 Oct. 3, 1972 [$4] SLIDERSAND LOCKING [56] References Cited ARRANGEMENTS FOR INTEGRATOR PLATFORMSUNITED STATES PATENTS 3,238,893 3/1966 Zuppiger ..l04/25 P l G zuppig"enev 3,057,437 1011962 Martinez ..104/25 [73! Asslgnee: BattelleMemorlallnstltute,Carouge, Examiner G raid M. Foflenza Geneva,Switzerland and Dunlop As D w K Holdings Limited, London, England 533: 5& Mosh r 22 Filed: June 2,1971 y e A platform conveyor having a constantspeed high- [30] Foreign Application Priority Data speed section andvariable-speed sections at either June 10, 1970 Great Britain..28,110/70 end, the platforms being adapted to slide relative to oneanother in the variable-speed sections and locking [52] US. Cl ..l04/25,198/110 and sliding mechanism for gonnecting the platforms. Ill. The andmechanisms allow platform [58] Field of Search ..l04/l4,25; 198/16, [6MS,

movement and prevent platform movement as required.

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SLIDERS AND LOCKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR [NTEGRATOR PLATFORMS This inventionrelates to conveyors comprising a plurality of platforms adapted totravel along a predetermined path, the platforms being of a generallyelongated plan form, the path of the conveyor having a constant-speedhigh-speed section and variable-speed sections at each end of the highspeed section. There is usually a low-speed return section connectingthe variable-speed sections although a high speed return section may beutilized. In each case there is a low-speed section at one end of eachvariable speed section and in these low speed sections the platformsmove in a direction normal to their longitudinal axes. In thevariable-speed sections the platforms slide laterally relative to oneanother and also move in a curved path to produce a speed variation thefinal high-speed direction of travel being in a direction at asubstantial angle to the direction of movement in the low-speed section.Reversal of the lateral sliding may reduce the speed of the conveyor ina second variable-speed zone. Such conveyors are used for the carriageof passengers and/or freight, and a particular use is for the provisionof access to, or exit from, a constant-speed high-speed conveyor. Thevariable-speed sections comprise acceleration and deceleration sections.

The platforms travel in a closed loop and for safety and stabilityreasons it is desirable to connect the platforms together so that gapscannot be formed between adjacent platforms. This is particularlynecessary in passenger-carrying sections. At the same time it isnecessary to permit the relative lateral sliding of the platforms, inthe variable-speed acceleration and deceleration sections.

However, it will be appreciated that in a conveyor, comprising arelatively large number of platforms, manufacturing tolerances, andtemperature variations, wear, and other reasons make it desirable thatthere be some facility for allowing for total overall variations in thelength of the conveyor, for example by deliberately providing for theformation of gaps between platforms at at least one predeterminedsection, where this can be permitted without danger.

Also, for economy of space, it is usual for the platforms to travelround a vertical curve at each end of a load-carrying run, for return toan originating position and formation of a closed loop. [t is desirableto provide some flexibility in the connections between platforms topermit easy movement round the vertical bends.

Thus, there is a first requirement that there shall be connectionsbetween adjacent platforms which will maintain the platforms in contactalong their adjacent longitudinal edges at least during passenger and/orfreight carrying sections, will permit lateral relative sliding of theplatforms, and also permit controlled movement apart of the platforms atat least one predetermined section of the path of the conveyor.

A further situation arises in that provision for emergency stopping isnecessary, to avoid accidents, or in the event of an accident, or in theevent of some abnormality in operation. In such circumstances theconveyor is brought to a rapid halt. It will be appreciated thatconsiderable inertia exists, both in the platforms and their supportingcarriages, and in the load, passenger and/or freight, carried by theplatforms. Because of the angular relationship of the platforms in theconstant high-speed section, rapid stopping of the conveyor producesvery high wedging forces between the platforms, which forces aretransmitted to the guide means such as guide rails. To prevent lateraldisplacement of the guide rails, very strong supporting structures wouldbe required. Such structures would be expensive and wasteful in thattheir maximum use would only be in an emergency which is likely to bevery infrequent. Also, very severe loadings can be applied to themechanisms supporting, and guiding, the platforms on the rails.

Therefore it is advisable to provide locking means between platformswhich are actuated where the platfonns enter the constant-speedhigh-speed section, to prevent relative lateral movement of theplatforms in that section. Normally the platforms will also be incontact along their longitudinal edges in either constantspeed section,for example, in the low-speed section. It may also be desirable toprovide locking means in such other constant speed section, even thoughno loads are being carried by the platforms in such sections, forexample, during the return part of the conveyor path. The inertia of theplatforms, with support and guidance structures, can create high wedgingforces. The locking means are released at the end of the constant speedsection or sections, for example, to permit lateral sliding of theplatforms in a speed-change section.

Thus, the present invention is primarily concerned with the provision ofconnecting means for connecting platforms in side-by-side relationship,the connecting means permitting relative lateral sliding of theplatforms in the variable-speed section, maintaining the platfonns incontact along their longitudinal edges in a load-carrying section, andpermitting controlled movement apart of the platforms at a predeterminedsection or at predetermined sections in the path of the conveyor.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided aconveyor comprising a plurality of platforms adapted to travel along apredetermined path, the platforms of generally elongated plan formhaving parallel longitudinal edges, the path of the conveyor comprisinga constant-speed high-speed loadcarrying section and variablespeedsections at each end of the high-speed section, the platforms beingadapted to slide laterally relative to one another in a directionparallel to their longitudinal axes in the variable-speed section andlocking and sliding mechanisms for connecting adjacent platforms themechanisms comprising a member for retention in a first one of a pair ofadjacent platforms and slidable laterally along the platform parallel toone longitudinal edge thereof, attachment means for connecting themember to a second one of the pair of adjacent platforms, the attachmentmeans being fixed against lateral movement relative to the secondplatform, and locking means for permitting movement of the attachmentmeans in a direction normal to the longitudinal axes of the platformsonly at predetermined sections in the path of the conveyor, said meansbeing adapted to retain the attachment means in a retracted position tomaintain the platforms in contact for at least the load-carryingconstant-speed section of the conveyor path.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided for eachpair of adjacent platforms means for locking the platforms together andpreventing relative lateral sliding of the platforms during theload-carrying constant high-speed sections. Conveniently the means forlocking the platforms against lateral sliding are constructed integralwith the locking and sliding mechanisms referred to above or they mayconstitute separate means.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided foreach pair of platforms means for locking the platforms together andpreventing relative external sliding of the platforms in theconstant-speed low-speed section. Again, conveniently, the means may beconstructed integral with the locking and sliding mechanisms referred toabove or may be separate means.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view, shortened for convenience, of one form ofconveyor in accordance with the present invention in which the platformsare in outline only to show the support and guidance systems;

F IG. 2 is a cross-section on line 11-" of FIG 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section on line III-III of FIG. 2 illustrating thereturn path of the conveyor;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section through a pair of adjacent platforms normal tothe longitudinal areas of the platforms, when locked in immediateside-by-side relationship;

FIG. 5 is a similar cross-section to that of FIG. 4, but with theplatforms spaced apart;

FIG. 6 is a view in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4, with part of theplatforms removed and illustrates the sliding and locking mechanism inmore detail;

FIG. 7 is a view on the longitudinal edge of a platform illustrating theactuating details for the locking of the sliding and locking mechanisms;

FIG. 8 is a cross-section on the lines VllI-Vlll on FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a cross-section on the lines IX-IX on FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic plan view of a means for relative lateralsliding of platforms in a high-speed section;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the means illustrated in FIG. 10, in moredetail, with parts of the adjacent platforms removed and parts incross-section for clarity;

FIG. 12 is a view in the direction of arrow B of FIG. 11, with sliderand abutment removed for clarity;

FIG. 13 is a cross-section on the lines XIII-XIII of FIG. I2;

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic plan view of a means for relative lateralsliding of platforms in a slow speed section;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the means illustrated in FIG. 14, in moredetail, with parts of adjacent platforms removed, and parts incross-section for clarity;

FIG. 16 is a view in the direction of arrow C on FIG. 15 with slider andpivot removed for clarity, and;

FIG. 17 is a cross-section on the lines XVII-XVII of FIG. 16.

As seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 the conveyor 1 comprises a constanthigh-speed section 2, shown foreshortened,

an acceleration section 3, a deceleration section 4 and a constant-speedslow-speed section 5. At each end there is a tum-over" or reversingsection 6. The particular embodiment illustrated is adapted to provideaccess to a constant high-speed conveyor 7 in the fonn of a belt.Passengers step onto the conveyor 1 at an entry 8 and are accelerated inthe acceleration section 3. The speed of the high-speed section 2 iscomparible with that of the conveyor 7, generally at approximately thesame speed. Passengers transfer from conveyor I to conveyor 7 at anyposition along the high-speed section 2. The conveyor 1 comprises aplurality of elongated platforms l0 travelling on supporting rails 24.The platforms 10 slide laterally relative to each other in theacceleration and deceleration sections 3 and 4. The ends of theplatforms are inclined to the longitudinal axis of each platform,thereby forming a straight edge when the platforms are inclined in thehigh-speed section and so facilitating passenger movement from conveyorsl to 7 no gap being formed between them. Driving means are provided forthe platforms and can take the form in the slow speed section of wormgears engaging with pegs attached to the platform and can take the form,in the other sections, of linear motors, not illustrated.

In the arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 it will beappreciated that the belt 7 will need to pass over the conveyor 1 at thedeceleration section 4. This can be arranged by causing this belt 7 tobe inclined slightly at the end of the constant-speed high-speed section2. Alternatively the conveyor 1 can be arranged that the "tum-oversection 6 occurs at the end of the constantspeed high-speed section 2.The platforms can then be decelerated at any convenient positions in thereturn path to the entry 8.

The conveyor 1 may also be used as a conveyor on its own, without anyadditional conveyor such as belt 7.

FIG. 4 illustrates two platforms [0 locked together. Each platform 10 isof hollow box formation having an arcuate recess 11 and 12 formed alongeach longitudinal edge. In one recess 11 slides a slider 13, which is ofcylindrical form and seen in more detail in FIG. 6. In the recess 12, inthe adjacent edge of the next platform, is a pivot member 14. Pivotmember 14 is fixed laterally, in that it does not slide along itsassociated recess 12. but is able to pivot in the recess about an axiscoaxial with the axis of the recess. It is positioned in the recess 12adjacent one end of the platform. The slider 13 is mounted on a rod 15,by means of a pin 16, the rod 15 extending through a diametrical bore inthe pivot member 14. The rod has an intermediate abutment shoulder 17.When the rod is in a retracted position, the shoulder 17 abuts against aflat surface on the pivot member 14, this being when the platforms arein their most closely adjacent positions. The shoulder 17 is held incontact with the pivot member 14 by sliding forked locking member 18,described in more detail later. The end of the rod is remote from theslider 13 has a lateral extension 19 to prevent the rod 15 from becomingcompletely disengaged from the pivot rod member 14. To facilitateassembly of the rod 15, with the slider 13 and pivot member 14. the rodis in two parts, coupled at 20 by screws 21, seen more closely in FIGS.6 and 7.

As seen in FIG. 5, the platforms 10 are supported and guided by rails24, one of which only is shown, by

means of rollers carried on carriages, described later, there normallybeing four rollers, in two pairs, the rollers of a pair engaging oneither side of a rail. There are two carriages to each platform, one foreach rail. FIG. 5 illustrates the platforms in their relative positionsas they travel round a vertical curve, corresponding to the turn-oversection 6. It will be seen that the rod is unlocked and has extended bysliding through the pivot member 14. This is necessary to permittraversing of the curve. As shown in FIG. 5, the carriages of theplatforms would still be in contact at their ends (indicated by letterO). A small further extension at the rod 15 is permissable to provide agap R between the carriages if desired. Thus, as seen in FIG. 5, thelateral extension 19 at the end of the rod 15 is still spaced a smalldistance from the pivot member 14. This distance represents the maximumgap which can occur between the carriages in this section.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrated in more detail the form and mounting, andactuation of, the forked locking member 18. As seen in FIG. 6, the pivotmember 14 is pivotally mounted in a fixed support member 25 which islocated in the recess 12 and fixed by screws 26. Screws 26 are seen moreclearly in FIG. 8 which is a cross-section on the line Vl[I-Vlll of FIG.6. Support member 25 extends laterally in the recess 12 and has atransverse bore 27 in which is mounted a laterally extending guide 28.The guide 28 acts as one of two guide and support members for the forkedlocking member 18. Extending from a bore 29 in the end of the supportmember 25 is a guide rod 30. The forked locking member has a boss 31having a bore which slides on the guide rod 30, the guide rod acting asthe other guide and support member for the forked locking member. Acompression spring 32 is positioned between the boss 31 and an abutment33 attached to the outer end of the guide rod 30.

The forked locking member 18 has a slot 34, the sides of the slotengaging guiding surfaces formed on the guide 28.

At the end of the forked locking member 18 remote from the slider 13 androd 15 there is an extension 35. Extension 35 extends normal to the axisof the guide 28, and carries a roller 36 at its end. The roller isarranged to engage with cam surfaces on the conveyor support structure,not shown, to cause sliding of the forked locking member 18, against theaction of compression spring 32. In the arrangement shown, the spring 32acts to cause the forked locking member 18 to slide to a lockingposition, and the forked locking member is moved to unlock the rod 15 bythe action of cam surfaces on the roller 36. The mounting of the rollers36 is readily seen in FIG. 7, and also in FIG. 9, which is across-section on the line IX-IX of FIG. 6. FIG. 9 also illustrates themounting of the forked locking member 18 on the guide 28. Guide 28 hasan enlarged outer end portion 37, which, in addition to retaining thelocking member 18 on the guide 28, has an additional function, to bedescribed later. The ends of the forked locking member 18 are chamferedat 38 to assist in engagement of the fork with the rod 15 and to ensurethat shoulder 17 on the rod 15 is pushed into close contact with thepivot 14.

The slider 13, in the example illustrated, in the drawings, is of adiameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the recess 11, and alayer of low friction material, for example polytetrafluoroethylene, isapplied to the circumferences of the slider. As seen in FIG. 6, thelayer of material 40 is formed with thin lipped extensions each end,resiliently urged into contact with the surface of the recess by rings41. This assists in preventing dirt and similar foreign matter gettingbetween the layer of material and the surface of the recess.

The slider 13 is also provided with an axial bore 42 with enlarged ends43. Resilient bumpers 44 are positioned in the bore 42, for a purpose tobe described later.

In operation, in the load-carrying section, the platforms are in closejuxtaposition, and a minimum space between the top surfaces of theplatforms. The forked locking member 18 is in the locking position, asshown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7. At the end of the load-carrying section, forexample, prior to entering a vertical curve, i.e. a turn-over for returnof platforms, cam members on the support structure cause the lockingmembers 18 to slide, to the right in FIGS. 6 and 7, unlocking the rods15, enabling the platforms to move apart. After traversing the curve,the platforms may then be locked together again until entering the nextvertical curve, which will return the platforms to a load-carryingsection. The platforms will be unlocked during passage round this secondcurve and relocked on entering the load-carrying section. The platformswill remain locked together in speed change sections, the arrangementpermitting relative lateral sliding of the platforms by means of theslides 13.

A sliding and locking mechanism is provided at each end of eachplatform. The mechanisms are opposed in that, for each pair of adjacentplatforms the slider 13 at one end slides in one of the pair ofplatforms, while at the other end the slider slides in the other of thepair of platforms. Also, for any one platform the pivot members 14 areat opposite ends on opposite sides of the platform. Thus, each platformcarries a pivot member adjacent one end of one side and another pivotmember adjacent the other end of the other side. Furthermore, bysubstantially positioning the pivot members within the limits whereinthe platforms are of full width, that is not on the tapered portions ofthe platform, it can be arranged that the sliders will support theexternal tapered ends of the platforms in the high-speed section. Arelative positioning of pivot members 14 and sliders 13 is indicated inFIG. 1.

Thus, it will be seen that as the platforms [0 enter the accelerationsection 3 they move together and are then locked together by actuationof the forked locking mechanisms 18. Relative lateral sliding can stilloccur, this being necessary for the speed variation. In the constanthigh-speed section, no relative sliding occurs but the platforms remainlocked together.

If the constant high-speed section is followed by a decelerationsection, then the platforms remain locked together but slide laterallyrelative to each other. At the end of the deceleration section, or atthe end of the constant high-speed section if a turn-over section occurswithout a deceleration section, the locking members 18 are reactuated bycam members provided to unlock the rod 15 and permit movement apart ofthe platforms.

As stated previously, it is desirable to provide locking means betweenplatforms which will prevent relative lateral sliding of the platformsin the constant-speed high-speed section. FIG. 10 illustrates onegeneral arrangement, illustrated in more detail in FIGS. ll, 12 and 13.

As seen in FIG. 10, an abutment member 50 is attached to the extremeright-hand end of each platform, at its forward edge, considered in thedirection of movement. The abutment member 50 is fixed in the extremeend of the recess 11 in which slides the slider 13. The arrangement issuch that in the high-speed section, the slider is in end contact withthe abutment member. Any emergency stopping of the conveyor wouldnormally tend to make the platforms slide laterally, with the slider 13moving to the right in FIG. 10. The abutment member 50 opposes thismovement and therefore prevents transfer of the wedging loads to theguide rails. Further, means can be provided to lock together the slider13 and abutment member 50. Thus, the platforms can be locked togetherand no transverse loads, arising from any wedging action betweenplatforms are then applied to the guide rails.

FIGS. 11, I2 and 13 illustrate the locking means in more detail. Theslider 13, illustrated in FIG. 11, is of a slightly modified form, inthat instead of bumper 44 as in FIG. 7, a bumper 51 is carried by theabutment member 50.

When slider 13 and abutment 50 engage i.e. on the load-conveyinghigh-speed section of the conveyor path, these members are secured inengagement by means of a first latch mechanism now to be described.

Attached to the abutment member 50 is an angled latch 52, seen moreclearly in FIG. 12. The latch is reciprocable in a vertical direction,that is normal to the platforms surface. As seen in FIG. 12, the latch52 is in the form of an angled member having two arms 53 and 54approximately at right-angles. Arm 54 extends in the direction of theaxis of the recess 11, parallel to and spaced a small distance from theforked locking member 18. Formed in the upper surface of the arm 54 is agroove 55, the groove 55 engaging the previously described enlarged endportion 37 of the guide 28. The arm 53 has a rectangular slot 56,providing for the mounting of the latch on the abutment member 50, theslot accommodating a guide 57 attached to the abutment member by a screw58, the screw also retaining a disc 59 which overlaps the sides of theslot 56 and holds the latch on the guide 57. Arm 53 also has a hollowextension 60 containing a compression spring 61. Spring 61 acts on theguide 57. Thus the spring 61 tends to maintain the latch in an upward orlocking position. The outer end of the arm 54 is chamfered at 62 and asthe platforms slide laterally and enter the high-speed section, theslider 13 and abutment member 50 approach each other. At the end of thelateral movement the slider and abutment member come together. As thisoccurs, the end portion 37 of guide 28 engages the chamfered portion 62of the arm 54, forcing the latch 52 downwards. The slider and abutmentmember finally come into contact and the latch member moves upwards, theend portions 37 engaging in the groove 55, thus locking the slider andabutment member together. The latch 52 is unlocked at the end of thehigh speed section by a cam surface on the support structure indicatedat 62a, engaging the end of the extension 60 of the arm 53, moving thelatch downwards against the action of the spring. This releases the endportion 37 and allows the relative sliding of the platforms with theassociated parting of the slider 13 and abutment 50.

After passage through the constant-speed high-speed section, theplatforms can be decelerated before they commence the return to theloading position, in which case they traverse a vertical curve at a lowspeed, are then re-accelerated for the return run, decelerated again andpassed round a further vertical curve to enter the constant-speedslow-speed section, for loading, either by passengers or freight.Alternatively, the platforms can be passed round the first verticalcurve at high speed, continuing into the high speed return. In eithermethod, the platforms, in the high-speed return zone will have movedlaterally relative to each other, from one extreme position to another.The one extreme position, in the high-speed load-carrying section, isillustrated in FIG. 10, while the other extreme, the high speed return,is illustrated in FIG. 14. Again, to avoid the transfer of undesirableside thrusts on the guide rails, and to provide efficient movement ofthe plat forms it may be desirable to lock the platforms againstrelative sideways movement during passage through this section.

As seen in FIG. 14, in the high-speed return section the support member25 at the end of one platform, with its associated slider in theadjacent platform, is in abutting engagement with the slider associatedwith the pivot member in the adjacent platform and a second latchmechanism is used to secure the platform in this position. It will beseen that there is a pivot member and an associated slider at each endof the adjacent cooperating edges of the platforms, it being arrangedthat for each recess, in the edges of the platforms, there is a fixedpivot member, and a slider, and the fixed pivot members are at oppositeends of the co-operating edges. In the extreme position shown in FIG.14, the sliders, and pivot members, are in immediate proximity to eachother, the slider of one pair (of pivot member and slider) in contactwith the pivot member of the other pair, and the slider of the otherpair in contact with the pivot members of the one pair.

FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 illustrate, in more detail, an additional latchmechanism for locking the sliders and pivot members together in the highspeed return run of the platforms and which comprises a modification tothe arrangement illustrated in FIGS. ll, 12 and 13 in that a latchmember is attached to one pivot member, which engages with a stud on theother pivot member.

As seen in FIGS. l5, l6 and 17 one of the pivot support members 25carries an angled latch 65, this latch, in the present example, being ofsubstantially the same form as the latch 52 in FIGS. ll, 12 and 13. Thelatch has arms 66, 67 substantially at right angles, and is mounted inthe reverse position to that of latch 52, that is arm 66 is uppermostand arm 67 extends downwardly in a direction away from the top surfaceof the platform. Arm 66 has a groove 68 which engages with a stud 69mounted on the pivot member 25 of the adjacent platfonn. The latch ismounted on the pivot member, on a guide 70 which is secured to a slot 71in arm 67, by means of a screw 72 and a disc 73. Arm 67 has a hollowextension 74 containing a compression spring 75 acting on the guide 70.The end of the arm 66 is chamfered at 67.

The action of locking is similar to that when locking the platforms inthe load-carrying section. As the pivots support members 25, and theirassociated slider 13, approach each other, the stud 69 engages thecharnfered end 77 of the arm 66, forcing the latch 65 upwards untileventually the stud is received into the groove 68. The pivot membersare then locked together until a cam surface, mounted on the supportstructure, indicated at 78, engages the end of the extension 74 of arm67, moving the latch upwards in FIGS. 16 and 17, releasing the stud 69when the pivot members, and thus, the platforms can move sidewaysrelative to each other.

In the arrangement illustrated in FlGS. 15, 16 and 17, bumpers 51attached to the pivot support members 25 are the same as thoseillustrated in FIG. 11. However, bumpers can be fitted to the sliders,instead, as illustrated in FIG. 7. The bumpers act as shock absorbersand resilient buffers when sliders and pivot members or sliders andabutment members come into contact.

While particular examples of the various locking arrangements have beendescribed in detail, it will be appreciated that considerable variationscan be made whilst still obtaining the desired effects. Thus, inparticular, the actual form of sliders, of pivot members, and ofabutment members can vary. Also the detailed form of the sliding forkedlocking members, and of the latches can vary.

lt is not necessary that all three locking arrangements be provided forall conveyors and any one, two, or all three can be provided as needed.

Broadly, the invention provides locking arrangements for the followingpurposes: to maintain the platforms in close, edge-to-edge relationshipat least while travelling through zones in which passengers and/orfreight are carried, while permitting the necessary lateral relativesliding between platforms for acceleration or deceleration, and alsopermitting the platforms to move apart at one or more selected parts ofthe overall path of the conveyor, to lock the platforms together againstrelative lateral movement during a certain selected part, or selectedparts, of the overall path of the conveyor to prevent undue side thrustsbeing applied to the supporting and guiding means for the platforms, asa result of any wedging" action which may occur, for example, in anemergency stop. The need to lock the platforms against the lateralrelative movement, may require differing forms of locking means, fordifferent sections of the conveyor path. Thus, the particular form oflocking means, the various types of locking means and the number ofdifferent locking devices will depend upon the actual form, and type ofconveyor, its intended use, and possibly also upon the manner ofinstallation of the conveyor and its support structure.

Having now described my invention what claim is:

l. A conveyor comprising a plurality of platforms adapted to travelalong a predetermined path, the platforms of elongated plan form havingparallel longitudinal edges, the path of the conveyor including aconstant-speed high-speed load-carrying section and variable speedsections at each end of the high-speed section, the platforms beingadapted to slide laterally relative to one another in a directionparallel to their longitudinal axes in the variable-speed sections, andlocking and sliding mechanisms for connecting platforms, the mechanismscomprising a slidable member for retention in one of a pair of adjacentplatforms and slidable laterally along the platform parallel to onelongitudinal edge thereof, attachment means for connecting the slidablemember in the other one of the pair of adjacent platforms, theattachment means adapted to be fixed against lateral movement relativeto the said other platform, and locking means for permitting movement ofthe attachment means in a direction normal to the longitudinal axes ofthe platforms whereby the platforms, when assembled, are permitted tomove apart at predetermined sections in the path of the conveyor, thelocking means adapted to retain the attachment means in a retractedposition to maintain the platforms in contact for at least theload-carrying constant-speed section of the conveyor path.

2. A conveyor as claimed in claim 1, each locking and sliding mechanismcomprising a slider for relative lateral sliding in a co-operatingrecess in the one platform, an arm extending from the slider in adirection normal to the axis of movement of the slider, a pivot memberfor attachment to the said other platform, the pivot member adapted tobe fixed against relative lateral movement in the said other platformand for rotation about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of theplatform, means in the pivot member for the reception of the armextending from the slider, the arm capable of movement relative to thepivot member in a direction normal to the rotational axis of the pivotmember, and an abutment on the arm for engagement by the locking meansfor retaining the arm in the retracted position.

3. A conveyor as claimed in claim 2, including a second abutment on thearm, the second abutment positioned to limit the movement of the arm inthe pivot member, whereby the maximum separation of platforms can becontrolled.

4. A conveyor as claimed in claim 2, the arm comprising a rod slidablein the pivot member.

5. A conveyor as claimed in claim 4, the locking means comprising alocking member, having a forked end comprising two spaced-apart membersadapted to embrace the rod and abut against the abutment on the rod inthe locking condition, to retain the rod in the retracted position.

6. A conveyor as claimed in claim 5, the locking member being mounted onan extension of the pivot member for sliding laterally parallel to theaxis of rotation of the pivot member.

7. A conveyor as claimed in claim 5, the locking member including meansfor engagement with actuating means positioned in the path of theplatforms.

8. A conveyor as claimed in claim 7, the locking member including aspring for biasing the locking member to the locking condition, thelocking member adapted to be moved to the unlocking condition by theactuating means positioned in the path of the platforms.

9. A conveyor as claimed in claim 1 wherein two sliding and lockingmechanisms are provided for each adjacent pair of platforms, a mechanismbeing provided for positioning adjacent the end of each platform, the

slidable member of one mechanism adapted to be retained in the first oneof the pair of platforms and the slidable member of the other mechanismadapted to be retained in the second one of the pair of platforms byabutment with the said mechanism.

10. A conveyor as claimed in claim 9, the path of the conveyor includinga high-speed constant-speed return section, including abutment means forattachment on each of the platforms, the abutment means being adapted toabut against each other when the platforms are in the return section,the abutment means comprising a slidable member of the locking andsliding mechanism, for one platform of a pair and the attachment meansof the locking and sliding mechanism for the other platforms.

1 l. A conveyor as claimed in claim 1, each platform including anarcuate recess extending along at least one longitudinal edge, therecesses adapted to retain the slidable members and permit lateralsliding thereof.

12. A conveyor as claimed in claim 1 including guide rails and carriagemeans for attachment to the platforms for the support and guidance ofthe platforms on the said rails.

13. A conveyor as claimed in claim 1, including first means forattachment to one of a pair of adjacent platforms for engagement withsecond means on the other of the pair of platforms, whereby in operationthe first and second means can be engaged when the platforms are in theconstant-speed high-speed section to prevent lateral movement of theplatforms relative to each other.

14. A conveyor as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first means comprisesan abutment member, and the second means comprises the slidable memberof the locking and sliding mechanisms.

15. A conveyor as claimed in claim 14, the abutment member including alocking member, and an abutment on the locking and sliding mechanism forengagement by the locking member when the slidable member and theabutment member are in engagement.

16. A conveyor as claimed in claim 15 wherein the locking membercomprises a latch including a recess for engagement with the abutment onthe locking and sliding mechanism, a spring urging the latch into anengaging position and means for engagement with actuating means in thepath of the platforms for moving the latch to a disengaged position.

17. A conveyor as claimed in claim 16, the latch being adapted to engagethe abutment on the locking and sliding mechanism to prevent relativemovement of the platforms in either direction parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the platforms.

18. A conveyor as claimed in claim 1, the path of the conveyor includinga return high-speed constant-speed section, including abutment means forattachment on each of the platforms, the abutment means being adapted toabut against each other when the platforms are in the return section.

19. A conveyor as claimed in claim 18 including locking means adapted toretain the abutment means, on each of the platforms, in abutment.

20. A conveyor according to claim 1 wherein locking and slidingmechanisms are provided in two pairs between each of the platforms, onelocking and sliding echanis being located towards each rid of theplatorms an the arrangement being such t at one sltdlng element and onelocking element of the mechanisms is provided adjacent to eachlongitudinal edge of each platform.

* i III

1. A conveyor comprising a plurality of platforms adapted to travelalong a predetermined path, the platforms of elongated plan form havingparallel longitudinal edges, the path of the conveyor including aconstant-speed high-speed load-carrying section and variable speedsections at each end of the high-speed section, the platforms beingadapted to slide laterally relative to one another in a directionparallel to their longitudinal axes in the variable-speed sections, andlocking and sliding mechanisms for connecting platforms, the mechanismscomprising a slidable member for retention in one of a pair of adjacentplatforms and slidable laterally along the platform parallel to onelongitudinal edge thereof, attachment means for connecting the slidablemember in the other one of the pair of adjacent platforms, theattachment means adapted to be fixed against lateral movement relativeto the said other platform, and locking means for permitting movement ofthe attachment means in a direction normal to the longitudinal axes ofthe platforms whereby the platforms, when assembled, are permitted tomove apart at predetermined sections in the path of the conveyor, thelocking means adapted to retain the attachment means in a Retractedposition to maintain the platforms in contact for at least theload-carrying constant-speed section of the conveyor path.
 2. A conveyoras claimed in claim 1, each locking and sliding mechanism comprising aslider for relative lateral sliding in a co-operating recess in the oneplatform, an arm extending from the slider in a direction normal to theaxis of movement of the slider, a pivot member for attachment to thesaid other platform, the pivot member adapted to be fixed againstrelative lateral movement in the said other platform and for rotationabout an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the platform, meansin the pivot member for the reception of the arm extending from theslider, the arm capable of movement relative to the pivot member in adirection normal to the rotational axis of the pivot member, and anabutment on the arm for engagement by the locking means for retainingthe arm in the retracted position.
 3. A conveyor as claimed in claim 2,including a second abutment on the arm, the second abutment positionedto limit the movement of the arm in the pivot member, whereby themaximum separation of platforms can be controlled.
 4. A conveyor asclaimed in claim 2, the arm comprising a rod slidable in the pivotmember.
 5. A conveyor as claimed in claim 4, the locking meanscomprising a locking member, having a forked end comprising twospaced-apart members adapted to embrace the rod and abut against theabutment on the rod in the locking condition, to retain the rod in theretracted position.
 6. A conveyor as claimed in claim 5, the lockingmember being mounted on an extension of the pivot member for slidinglaterally parallel to the axis of rotation of the pivot member.
 7. Aconveyor as claimed in claim 5, the locking member including means forengagement with actuating means positioned in the path of the platforms.8. A conveyor as claimed in claim 7, the locking member including aspring for biasing the locking member to the locking condition, thelocking member adapted to be moved to the unlocking condition by theactuating means positioned in the path of the platforms.
 9. A conveyoras claimed in claim 1 wherein two sliding and locking mechanisms areprovided for each adjacent pair of platforms, a mechanism being providedfor positioning adjacent the end of each platform, the slidable memberof one mechanism adapted to be retained in the first one of the pair ofplatforms and the slidable member of the other mechanism adapted to beretained in the second one of the pair of platforms by abutment with thesaid mechanism.
 10. A conveyor as claimed in claim 9, the path of theconveyor including a high-speed constant-speed return section, includingabutment means for attachment on each of the platforms, the abutmentmeans being adapted to abut against each other when the platforms are inthe return section, the abutment means comprising a slidable member ofthe locking and sliding mechanism, for one platform of a pair and theattachment means of the locking and sliding mechanism for the otherplatforms.
 11. A conveyor as claimed in claim 1, each platform includingan arcuate recess extending along at least one longitudinal edge, therecesses adapted to retain the slidable members and permit lateralsliding thereof.
 12. A conveyor as claimed in claim 1 including guiderails and carriage means for attachment to the platforms for the supportand guidance of the platforms on the said rails.
 13. A conveyor asclaimed in claim 1, including first means for attachment to one of apair of adjacent platforms for engagement with second means on the otherof the pair of platforms, whereby in operation the first and secondmeans can be engaged when the platforms are in the constant-speedhigh-speed section to prevent lateral movement of the platforms relativeto each other.
 14. A conveyor as claimed in claim 13, wherein the firstmeans comprises an abutment member, and the second means comprises theslidable member oF the locking and sliding mechanisms.
 15. A conveyor asclaimed in claim 14, the abutment member including a locking member, andan abutment on the locking and sliding mechanism for engagement by thelocking member when the slidable member and the abutment member are inengagement.
 16. A conveyor as claimed in claim 15 wherein the lockingmember comprises a latch including a recess for engagement with theabutment on the locking and sliding mechanism, a spring urging the latchinto an engaging position and means for engagement with actuating meansin the path of the platforms for moving the latch to a disengagedposition.
 17. A conveyor as claimed in claim 16, the latch being adaptedto engage the abutment on the locking and sliding mechanism to preventrelative movement of the platforms in either direction parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the platforms.
 18. A conveyor as claimed in claim1, the path of the conveyor including a return high-speed constant-speedsection, including abutment means for attachment on each of theplatforms, the abutment means being adapted to abut against each otherwhen the platforms are in the return section.
 19. A conveyor as claimedin claim 18 including locking means adapted to retain the abutmentmeans, on each of the platforms, in abutment.
 20. A conveyor accordingto claim 1 wherein locking and sliding mechanisms are provided in twopairs between each of the platforms, one locking and sliding mechanismbeing located towards each end of the platforms and the arrangementbeing such that one sliding element and one locking element of themechanisms is provided adjacent to each longitudinal edge of eachplatform.